Columbia Northcliffe Campus Inc. c/o Clement Chan - Approval of an amendment to the Niagara Escarpment Plan

Previous Update

This notice was updated on November 25, 2021 to advise that there will be additional public consultation to January 24, 2022 (60 days). The Plan Amendment application has been revised to include a revised site-specific policy for the subject lands, a new site plan showing the addition of new parking spaces and technical reports relating to traffic, archaeology, hydrogeology, slope stability and environmental impact. Additional technical reports are available through the design firm - IBI Group’s link under the supporting materials section. This notice was originally published on September 2, 2020 for a 90 day comment period.

Proposal update

On November 2, 2020 this notice was updated to extend the comment period for an additional 28 days. The new comment period end date is November 30, 2020 to allow the public and other interested parties more time to review all the technical reports.

Proposal details

The amendment would replace an existing special policy in the NEP that applies to this property. The proposed site-specific policy would allow the use of the former convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph for:

• a day use only private secondary school with a maximum of 1,000 students and 80 staff
• a new gymnasium addition
• an expansion of the existing septic system

The purpose of the proposed plan amendment is to revise an existing site-specific policy in the Niagara Escarpment Plan for 574 Northcliffe Avenue to allow the proposed use of the property as a private school for Grade 12 students, notwithstanding a policy in the Plan (Part 2.21 f) that limits the use of the existing building to:

i.    a Place of Worship;

ii.   a Convent;

iii.  a residential care facility for a maximum of 35 residents; and

iv.  a dormitory for 36 students and accessory uses for an educational establishment provided it is located in conjunction with the convent         of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

No change to the land use designation of the property is proposed. The designation will remain Escarpment Natural Area and Escarpment Rural Area.

Other information

The former convent is presently being used as a student dormitory by Columbia International College pursuant to a temporary use by-law passed by the City of Hamilton for up to three years. Once student housing is built elsewhere in the City, the former convent will no longer be used for student accommodation.

Public consultation opportunities

A notice regarding the application has been posted in the Hamilton Spectator newspaper.

Information has been posted here on the Niagara Escarpment Commission inviting comments from the public.

A sign has been posted at the entrance to the property so that the local public is notified that an application has been submitted and advised who to contact for more information or to submit comments.

Pursuant to the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act, a public meeting may be held.